In a family business, a person's last name can give them perceived authority, but it does not guarantee respect or obedience. This episode tells the story of a business leader who said, "I don't know why they don't listen to me. My name is literally on the building". This statement shows a deep-seated belief in entitlement that can poison the workplace, creating chaos and eroding trust. This person would make unilateral decisions and come and go as he pleased, undermining the efforts of his siblings and creating confusion among employees.
The key to fixing this issue is to address it head-on. The brothers in the story had to confront the reality that this behavior was a problem, and they needed to create a plan to behave differently. This involves establishing clear expectations and boundaries for everyone in the family who works at the company. It is important to distinguish between family missions and business missions and to ensure that a person's authority comes from their position and not just their last name.
Correcting these behaviors requires an honest look at the impact they have on others. The leader in the story had a "blind spot" and did not realize the negative effect he was having on his family and employees. By holding a direct, honest conversation and creating clear, agreed-upon behaviors, the family was able to start a difficult but necessary process of change. This change did not happen overnight but required patience, consistency, and a shared desire for a better future.
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